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Three models wearing Eileen Fisher clothing in black, gray, and white.

Eileen Fisher Try-On: Stretchy Pants, Midi Skirt, Boxy Blouse

Published by welcomeobjects

No one asked, but here’s a post of me trying on some things from my recent Eileen Fisher order. Before I knew anything about ethical fashion, I thought of Eileen Fisher as a “middle-aged artsy lady” brand. Minimalist artsy, like what a curator would wear. Like what my boss would wear. I didn’t think of it as a brand for me.

Well, I guess I’m now a middle-aged artsy lady because I find myself increasingly drawn to their clothes. (From casual observation, it also seems like the brand has made an effort to appeal to younger customers. I see them gifting clothes to younger millennial influencers on Instagram.) Also, since I started paying attention to how clothes are made, I’ve come to appreciate Eileen Fisher as one of the OG companies when it comes to sustainable and ethical garment production.

Alright, on to the stuff. I bought these items during Eileen Fisher’s Black Friday promotion when sale items were marked down an additional 50% off. As you’ll see from the prices below, it was a pretty great sale. Missed it? Here’s another chance. As of December 24, they’ve brought the sale back through January 3. (This is not an ad, just an FYI. This post is unsponsored. I don’t even have an affiliate relationship with them.)

Cotton Stretch Jersey Lantern Pants

The main item on my shopping list these days is comfy, elastic waist pants. (Will I ever go back to hard pants with zippers or buttons after the pandemic? Will you?) Eileen Fisher makes plenty of pants in this vein, so I threw a few into my cart.

Will I ever go back to hard pants with zippers or buttons after the pandemic? Will you?

Having never tried any of their pants before, I wasn’t really sure what to expect. I picked these Cotton Stretch Jersey Lantern Pants mainly because of the gray color. I thought the seams down the front and back might elevate the stretchy pants look too. Here’s a 5′ 10″ model wearing the pants. (This item is sold out at the moment, so the page doesn’t even come up anymore on their site. I’m linking to it anyways in case it comes back.)

eileen fisher cotton stretch jersey lantern pants worn by model

Cotton Stretch Jersey Lantern Pants – $158, on sale for $59.50  [similar in black]

And here’s XS on 5”4″ me. My hip measurement is about 37″ and I’m generally a size 4 in pants. However I’ve been stress-eating carbs during the pandemic so I might be a size up these days. (Hence my shopping for comfy, stretchy pants.)

Eileen Fisher cotton stretch jersey lantern pants, front and back view on a regular person

Muji T-shirt // Eileen Fisher Lantern Pants [similar in black]// Allbirds Shoes [review]

Fit: As you can see, this lantern shape is unflattering on me. I think the size is probably right? But there’s too much fabric on me, especially on the back. This is a prime example of one reason I blog anonymously. I want to show you when things fit terribly. But I don’t want identifiable photos of me wearing things that look terrible floating around the internet.

Fabric: The Eileen Fisher site doesn’t really show close ups of items, so it was hard to get a sense of what the fabric is like. These 90% cotton, 10% elastane pants are stretchy and smooth to the touch. The tag says they’re made from extra-long staple cotton. It even says who grew it: Dosi Alvarez, a third-generation New Mexico farmer. The jersey is medium weight, but on the lighter side of medium. It’s thin enough that my panty line showed.

eileen fisher cotton jersey lantern pants closeup of pantleg

The pantleg opening of the Cotton Stretch Jersey Lantern Pants.

Measurements: Though there’s a general size chart and a few measurements for the garment, there aren’t size-specific measurements for each item. (A lot of brands don’t provide this and they really should as we increasingly shop online!)

So, here are the measurements for the XS by my own tape measure: 14.75″ across the waistband, 10.5″ rise, 25″ inseam. The elastic band is about 2″.

Did I keep it? Of course not.

Traceable Organic Cotton Stretch Slouchy Cropped Pant

That’s a lot of adjectives for these pants! Here they are on a 5’10” model.

And here I am wearing the PS (petite small).

Eileen Fisher organic cotton stretch slouchy crop pants, front and back view on a regular person

Fit: I was not expecting any of the pants I ordered to fit, but I was pleasantly surprised by these cuffed pants. Also, what a difference petite sizing makes! These cropped pants are actually cropped on me! They’re not perfect. There’s still some wrinkling on the back side, but overall, these fit pretty well.

Fabric: These are a similar light-medium weight jersey as the lantern pants. Yet, panty lines don’t seem to be as much of a problem here. The fabric is similar: smooth and stretchy, 90% cotton and 10% spandex. So I think it must just be that black hides things better.

close up of eileen fisher traceable organic cotton slouchy cropped pants

Measurements: For size PS: 14.5″ across, 12″ rise, 22″ inseam, 1.5″ waistband width.

Did I keep it? Yes!

Sandwashed Tencel A-line Skirt

A black midi skirt has been on my wishlist for a year now, ever since I reviewed Vetta’s Two-Piece Midi Dress. While that dress didn’t work out for me, it showed me how versatile a midi skirt could be. I also liked the idea of achieving the look of a dress in two pieces, but also being able to wear the pieces separately. So, when I saw this skirt with a hi-lo hem in the sale section, I put it in my cart.

Here’s a 5’10” model wearing size S.

Eileen Fisher sandwashed tencel a-line skirt on a model

Sandwashed Tencel A-line Skirt – $188, $54.50 on sale

And here’s 5′ 4″ me in an XS.

Fit: This felt a tad big around the waist. Also, the A-line shape is a bit puffier than I’d like. It’s not bad, but it’s not exactly slimming. I also felt unsure about the length, which felt bit long for me. This unlined skirt comes in petite sizing too, so I’m not sure why I didn’t buy the petite version. Maybe the petite version wasn’t on sale? (But it is now.) Or maybe I was shopping haphazardly, a little drunk on buying things.

Fabric: Thin and lightweight Tencel. But it also seems like it might wrinkle easily.

Measurements: The XS is 14″ across the waist (unstretched), 28″ long on the front, and 32″ on the back.

I found myself trying to come up with excuses to keep it, which was a sure sign that it wasn’t right for me.

Did I keep it? I deliberated on this one a lot. In end, I decided to send it back. The details weren’t quite right for me. For one, the washed black color was surprisingly hard to pair with existing black items in my closet. (It looks good with items of contrasting color, though.) The elastic band has a gathered look, not flat like the pants above, which I prefer. I found myself trying to come up with excuses to keep it, which was a sure sign that it wasn’t right for me. I really appreciated that this skirt has pockets, though.

Silk Organic Cotton Brushstroke Boxy Shirt

A boxy shirt was NOT on my shopping list of wardrobe wants. But this subtle brushstroke print called to me — and I’m pretty picky about prints, many don’t appeal to me — so into my cart it went. Here’s a 5′ 10″ model in a size S.

Here I am wearing the PS with my arms outstretched to show that weren’t kidding when they said this shirt was boxy.

Eileen Fisher Silk Organic Cotton Brushstroke boxy top worn on a regular person, arms outstretched to show how boxy it is

Fit: The sizing is generous. It’s quite wide across, but it drapes nicely. It feels loose but doesn’t have an overly oversized look. I could probably size down no problem, though.

Fabric: 72% silk, 28% organic cotton. Smooth, silky, airy, and has a sheen to it. Looks fancy, but feels comfy. I love this fabric. It feels great on the skin.

eileen fisher SILK ORGANIC COTTON BRUSHSTROKE BOXY SHIRT and stretch cotton jersey slouchy cropped pants

Measurements: The PS is 21.5″ across the chest and about 25″ long. Personally, a little longer than I’d like. But no big deal. I like to wear it tucked in anyway.

Did I keep it? Yes! This print comes in a slouchy pants and maxi skirt as well (as shown on the model), which I’m now considering.

Overall, I kept two items from my order. These are my first Eileen Fisher pieces (besides shoes), and so far, I’m pleased with them. I’m also happy that I can shop from an ethical brand that offers true petite sizing. Eileen Fisher also makes plenty of wardrobe basics including a line of pieces meant to be easily mixed and matched call The System.) I can see why people are fans. And if that makes me a middle-aged artsy lady, so be it.

Lockdown (& Shopping) Life Lately

Published by welcomeobjects

Shopping Life

After being good about not shopping much this year, I gave in to Black Friday sales. Up until November, I had bought a total of 11 items of clothing in 2020. During holiday sales, I ordered nine things totaling $670, though two of them are the same item in different sizes. I know I’m not going to keep all of it. Still, compared to the rest of the year, this is a significant burst of shopping.

** affiliate links below **

One reason I gave in was because I had volunteered so much on election work these last few months and felt that I deserved to treat myself. The first thing I bought were these boots from dr. Liza during a big sale. I’m pleased with the leopard print flats I bought earlier from this brand (review here), so I decided to give the boots a try. However, according to tracking, the boots seem stuck at U.S. customs. It’s been nearly two weeks and counting. This has never happened to me before and I’m not sure that I can do anything but wait.

From Eileen Fisher I ordered the most items, shopping exclusively in the sale section, where an additional 50% discount was applied. We’ll see if I keep any of it, though. (Items should arrive tomorrow.) I ordered a black midi skirt (an item I put on my wardrobe want list after trying and returning a two-piece Vetta dress last year during Black Friday/Cyber Monday), a silk top (impulse purchase), and several pairs of pants.

I don’t exactly need more pants; these days I spend most of my time in one of two pairs of sweatpants. In the back of my mind, I was thinking I should get another pair of pants that aren’t sweatpants, something I could leave the home in that were more comfy than jeans. However, since I shopped the sale section with off-season items, it’s unlikely that any of the pants I ordered are warm enough for the current weather. They’re mostly cotton or jersey, like this slouchy pair. Ooops. I fell into the it’s-on-sale-let-me-throw-it-into-my-cart mindset.

Lastly, I ordered some sweaters, including cashmere from Italic, a direct-to-consumer, membership-based brand. Regular readers will know that I’ve been trying to build up my sweater collection, in particular warm ones that work for my sensitive skin. The Italic ones have arrived and seem promising. I’ll write a review soon. (UPDATE: here’s my review of the Italic Boxy Cropped Cashmere Sweater.)

Lockdown Life

Due to the alarming acceleration of Covid-19 cases, California is rolling things back. A number of Bay Area counties are locking down tonight through January 4 before we’ve even hit the number set by the state that triggers shelter-in-place orders. That number is 15%, as in when a region’s hospital capacity dips below 15%, it goes into lockdown. But health officials in the Bay Area say that by the time we reach 15% it will be too late; we must act now. Hospitalizations in the Bay Area have gone up 82% over the past two weeks (and 90% for California as a whole).

My household has been cautious even as things loosened up over the summer. We get groceries about once a week and have only eaten outside at a restaurant twice (both times only because the table was far from others; we are not comfortable with many of the outdoor seating arrangements in the parklets that have sprung up). I can count on one hand the number of times I have been inside a retail store that was not for essential supplies. We have seen friends occasionally and always outside. No one has been inside our apartment with the exception of an electrician once (and we were all masked).

Since we both work from home, I don’t anticipate much change for us day-to-day with new restrictions. Before this stay home order, we had already decided to stay put for the holidays and not visit family. (Mine live halfway across the country.) This is a scary time; we haven’t even seen the anticipated increase in cases from Thanksgiving gatherings. I get angry thinking about it and how some of the spread could have been prevented. It’s hard not to despair at the behavior of other human beings.

A slice of pumpkin pie on a plate and pinecones in the background

2020 Ethical Black Friday & Cyber Monday

Published by welcomeobjects

Every year I put together a list of sustainable and ethical brands with Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales. This year the deals have started earlier, no doubt due to the pandemic-induced economic downturn.

I’ll keep updating this post as I learn about more sales, so check back!

While I’m not much of a gifter, I do like shopping for myself during this time. But there’s always the danger of getting swept up in sales and buying too many things I don’t really need or will use.

To keep myself from going overboard, here are some tips:

  1. Make a list of needs and wardrobe gaps beforehand — and stick to it. 
  2. Ask yourself these questions. I came up with these last year after feeling awfully tempted by some sale items. One of the most useful things I ask myself is: Would I still want this if it were not on sale? Would I be willing to pay full price for it?

Here’s to shopping mindfully — and saving money!

** this post contains affiliate links  **

ABLE – Bags, shoes, apparel, and jewelry from around the world, made by women. 25% off everything with FESTIVE25.

Amour Vert – Women’s clothing with feminine vibes. (Here’s my review on how their items fit on a petite person.) 25% off site wide. Sale items are eligible for exchange or store credit, but not refunds.

Baggu – My favorite reusable bag! 25% off site wide plus an extra 10% off leather items with EXTRAEXTRA.

Bash + Sass – Minimalist, gender neutral tees, hoodies, and rompers for babies and toddlers. Made in San Francisco. 40% off with SMALLBRANDLOVE through 11/30.

Beeswrap – A natural, sustainable alternative to plastic wrap for food storage. 20% off sitewide through 11/27.

Carol Young | Undesigned – Clothing for women, designed for urban environments and travel. Made in Los Angeles. 10% donation to LA Regional Food Bank & 20% off all clothing, shoes, and face masks with THANKU. Sale items are final sale.

Coyuchi – Minimally processed and ethically sourced bedding and textiles. $50 off $250, $100 off $500, and $200 off $800 and more.

Curator SF – Slow fashion, made in San Francisco. 25% off sitewide with GOODKARMA. Sale items are eligible for exchange or store credit, but not refunds.

Cuyana – Luxe, minimalist leather goods. 15% off some items through 11/30. (Not entirely sure if this company’s production is ethical, though.)

dr. Liza – Shoes designed by a chiropractor/osteopath. (Read my review of the flats here.) 60% off nearly everything with JOY60 when you spend over $190 USD through 11/30. Sale items are eligible for exchange or store credit, but not refunds.

Eileen Fisher – The OG of sustainably-produced women’s clothing. Extra 50% off sale items through 12/2.

Graf Lantz – Bags, laptop sleeves, accessories, and housewares made in Los Angeles. I love the simplicity of their merino wool felt placemats and coasters. 30% off nearly everything with THANKS30

Gracemade – A “fashion-forward interpretation of modest apparel.” Think cocoon dresses and jumpsuits. Made in downtown Los Angeles out of locally sourced and deadstock fabrics. 30% off and free shipping  11/27 – 11/30.

Hackwith Design House – Simple women’s clothing and swim wear, made in America. 30% off with PIE30.

Hopp Studios – Comfy, bouncy shoes. (Read my review of their wedges here.) 30% off sitewide with FALLSALE. Sale items are final sale.

Kotn – Instead of a sale, this Canadian maker of cotton wardrobe basics — and now home items — donates 100% of their proceeds between Black Friday and Cyber Monday to build schools in the Nile Delta and Faiyum, Egypt, which is where they source their cotton. Over the years, they have opened seven schools. This year they aim to donate up to $90,000 to build three primary schools.

Lo & Sons – Makers of stylish travel bags. (Read my review of their backpacks and convertible tote.) Up to 70% off through 11/29. Plus, enjoy an extended 6-month return period.

Local European – Their Instagram bio says, “For the elegant street girl.” Cargo pants, but make it fashion! Made in Los Angeles out of deadstock fabric in small batches. Up to 60% off. Sale items are final sale.

Londontown – Cruelty-free, 9-Free nail polish brand. (My review here.) 45% off with nailcare and color with BLACKOUT. Through 11/27.

Looma – Bedding in neutral colors made from organic long-staple Himalayan cotton. Up to 40% off.

Marley’s Monsters – Reusable goods for the home like washable “paper” towels, personal care items, and baby care. (See my review of their reusable cosmetic rounds.) 20% off everything with HOLIDAY2020 through 11/30. They also have an Etsy shop. (Prices are a little higher there, but shipping is free over $35, so maybe it evens out, depending.)

Mate the Label – Casual comfy sweatshirts, joggers, and tees in earthy colors. Made in Los Angeles. 30% off sitewide.

Naadam – Cashmere sweaters and accessories. 40% off select styles with BLACKFRI40. For Cyber Monday, Naadam has put some of these same items at 75% off, however they are final sale.

Nau – Sustainably made performance wear and outerwear. 30% off full-priced items through 12/3.

Nisolo – Ethically-made shoes produced in Peru. Items up to 60% off. Get an extra 25% off with EXTRA25. Some items are final sale or can only be exchanged, not returned.

Nordstrom – Items up to 50% off. Valid from 11/27 to 12/2. Take an extra 25% off clearance items. I look for ethical brands like Eileen Fisher, Rachel Comey, and Reformation.

Only Child – Women’s clothing in natural fibers and neutral colors. Made in Oakland, CA. Their seconds sale launches with prices 30% off launches 11/28. Sale items are final sale.

Package Free Shop – Toiletries, cleaning supplies, and more low-waste living. 25% off on sitewide.

Pact – Casual clothing, bedding and bath for the whole family. Made from certified organic cotton in fair trade factories. Up to 40% off select items like leggings, sweaters, and more with BLACKFRIDAY through 11/30

Parachute Home – Bedding and bath, Oeko-Tex and Responsible Down Standard certified. 20% off everything through 11/30.

Pela Case – Eco-friendly phone cases that you can compost at the end of their life. Up to 50% off sitewide (20% off one item, 25% off two, and so on up to 50% off 5 items.)

Reformation – Flirty, trendy women’s clothing. 30% off everything.

Stasher Bag – Reusable silicone bags for food and other stuff. Up to 30% off sitewide.

S’well – My favorite reusable water bottle. (Review here.)

Tradlands – Women’s shirts, sweaters, and more in classic looks. Take 20% off orders of $100+ with HOLIDAY20 and 25% off orders of $200+ with HOLIDAY25. Plus, free $10 gift card on orders of 50+ and free shipping on orders of $200+. Sale items are eligible for exchange or store credit, but not refunds.

Two Days Off – Minimalist women’s clothing made to order in LA from upcycled deadstock fabric. An end of season sale is taking place now. Free shipping on orders over $200. Sale items are final sale.

United by Blue – Outdoor apparel made from natural, recycled, and salvaged materials. Up to 50% sitewide.

Vetta – Convertible clothes that can be worn several ways. Made in New York. Some items on sale up to 80% off. Plus, 20% off with EVERYTHING20.

Whimsy & Row – Clothing and housewares, based in Los Angeles. Up to 70% off. Also, one tree will be planted for every purchase. Sale items are eligible for exchange or store credit, but not refunds.

First Image: Element 5 Digital/Unsplash

dr.Liza leopard print flats next to a sweater

dr. Liza Flats Review

Published by welcomeobjects

I have a hard time finding shoes that work for me, so it’s a happy day when I get to write a positive shoe review. Today, I’m reviewing a pair of flats from dr. Liza, a Canadian brand.

First, a bit about the company. Liza Egbogah is a chiropractor, osteopath, and posture expert who started a clinic in Toronto called the [fix]. She launched dr. Liza in March 2017 to offer fashionable and comfortable shoes to her clients. The brand says their products, which includes bags, are ethically and sustainably made in Brazil. (However, there’s not specifics about what this means on their website.)

** this post contains affiliate links **

dr. liza sandal

The dr. Liza sandal that led me to the flats – $385 USD / $495 CAN

The shoes are orthotic, but don’t look like it at all.

I first learned about the brand when I saw a pair of their sandals on Instagram. The shape of the shoe — in particular the curve of the heel — was what caught my eye. dr. Liza makes just a few styles: there’s the sandals, the flats, two types of pumps, and two booties. But the few shoes they do make are all tasteful. There’s something about the sculptural, minimal, balanced look of their shoes that’s really pleasing to me. The shoes are orthotic, but don’t look like it at all.

In August, I impulse bought a pair of dr. Liza leopard print flats. I’ve worn them for a little over two months now. Since we’re in a pandemic though, I haven’t worn them as much as I would in a normal year. Usually, I’d be out and about, taking public transit and walking quite a bit. But these days, I don’t venture that far from my neighborhood since I’m still sheltering in place and have the luxury of working from home. All this to say that I’ve never worn these shoes for more than an hour at a time.

A hand holding a dr. liza leopard print flat

dr. Liza Flats – $136 USD / $175 CAD

First Impressions: The flats arrived in a timely manner from Canada. It took 10 days. (Shipping is free within Canada but about $11 USD flat rate to the U.S.) They were packaged in a sturdy black shoe box, which was wrapped in a plastic mailer. The shoes look well-made with straight stitching. The leather is not the super soft kind that will mold to your feet and show every bump. It’s more on the stiffer side and holds its shape while still having some give.

The rubber heel is a .5″ — just a little bit of lift. Surprisingly, the royal blue outsole is a hard material. The website says it’s rubber, but it feels hard and clicks against the pavement.

dr. liza leaopard print flats worn on feet, standing on black and white tile.

Fit: Though the website says that the dr. Liza flats fit true to size, I was nervous about buying from a brand I had never tried before. (Especially since purchases are not returnable for U.S. customers. A one-time exchange is permitted, but the customer must pay the return shipping.) So I measured my feet according to this sizing page on their website, and wrote in to ask for a size recommendation. I usually wear a 6.5 US/37 Euro. In this case, they told me to order the 6. So take note: these flats run about a half size big.

The size 6 are definitely the right size for me. They’re wide enough for my wide-ish feet and almost too big at my heels. Almost — but thankfully not. The toe box has plenty of wiggle room, a purposeful design to accommodate bunions. If you have narrow feet, these will probably be too wide. But, if you have any questions about sizing, just ask them. Amanda in customer care is really helpful and replies quickly.

A pair of dr. liza leopard print shoes, viewed from above

What these shoes have that the others don’t is decent arch support and sesamoid support.

Comfort: The most exciting thing to me about these shoes — besides the fact that I’ve finally found an ethically-made leopard print shoe — is the padding in the leather footbed. Now, these are not the most padded, most cushy shoes ever. In that regard, they feel moderate. They have neither the bouncy feel of my Hopp Studio wedges nor the sink-into-cushiness feeling of Allbirds. (I’ve reviewed several Allbirds styles.) But what these shoes have that the others don’t is decent arch support and sesamoid support.

The sesamoids are two small pea-shaped bones located in the ball of the foot beneath the big toe joint. As I shared last year, I started experiencing an achy pain in my right foot and it turned out to be sesamoidtitis. My podiatrist told me to relieve the pressure on the ball of my foot by wearing sesamoid pads and these sneakers. Dutifully, I stuck these pads on my foot every day for months and learned how to style ugly sneakers.

Fast forward a year later and my foot is still not 100%. The ball of my foot still hurts sometimes, even in cushioned shoes. But these dr. Liza flats have built-in padding extending from the arch area to near the ball of the foot and it helps. In some of my other shoes, my foot feels achy right away, but not with the dr. Liza flats.

If you’ve never had shoes with this kind of cushioning, then it might feel weird at first, but you get used to it. Now I want ALL my shoes to have this kind of cushioning.

These flats also have a built-in padded heel liners.

The back of the dr. Liza leopard print flats

The tabs at the back of the flats allow you to add a strap if you’d like.

Aesthetics & Style: The details of these flats feel just right to me. Although the round toe box has plenty of room, it’s not too round. I personally don’t like a very rounded toe, which looks kind of clunky to me. This shoe cuts an elegant shape.

At the back of the shoe is a pull tab, with a leather “L” (and a backwards “L” on the left shoe) sewn onto it. You can also add an ankle strap through the tab. dr. Liza included a free pair of ankle straps in my order and I love having this option to change up the look.

These flats look good with both pants and skirts, so they’re easy to style. I’m in the leopard-print-is-a-neutral camp, so I wear these with just about everything. But dr. Liza makes these flats in a bunch of colors (black, ivory, light brown, red, sky blue, bubblegum pink) as well as in limited-edition prints.

I’d still like to wear these out all day and see how they perform. Will my feet feel tired after a full day in them, or will they feel fine because of the padding? So far, I’m quite happy with them. I didn’t even need to break them in, though of course, I’ve been wearing them in increments of an hour or less. I’m also happy to shop from a small, ethical, Black-owned company.

These are my first dr. Liza shoes, but I don’t think they’ll be my last. I have my eyes on other pairs, like their booties and the dr. Liza sneaker pump, which has a a walkable 2″ heel. (I like this charcoal color and this sunny yellow).

As a quality, ethically-made product, the price point isn’t cheap. The flats run $136 USD, the sneaker pumps are $230, and the booties range from $385 to $463. However, dr. Liza holds good sales — I bought my flats at 40% off. Their next sale, an early Black Friday on a Monday, is scheduled for November 16. I just marked it on my calendar.

UPDATE 7/2/22 – I’ve had these shoes for more than a year and a half and wear them regularly. They remain comfortable for me, though their comfort has a time limit. I wore them for 10 hours once, much of that time spent standing, and my feet were pretty tired at the end of the night. I’ve since bought them in two other colors. However, the pair in navy suede feels snugger and I had to use a shoe stretcher on them. Not sure if this is true of all the suede colors, or just this colorway. But if you’re getting the navy suede, you might want to take your regular size and not size down.

UPDATE 1/9/23 – I bought my fourth pair of these flats in gold, and they also feel snugger. So, there does appear to be inconsistency in sizing, as half of them fit smaller. Or maybe the newer batches are more true to size. Putting my shoe stretcher to use on them, but if I had to do it over again, I’d order them in my usual size.

If you found my review helpful, please consider using my dr. Liza affiliate link to make your purchase. This earns me a small commission, which helps keeps my site running. Thank you so much.

Flat lay of cardigan, navy pants, white t-shirt, and red shoes.

A Quick Hello and a Long Sigh of Relief

Published by welcomeobjects

Hello from Day 239 of shelter in place. It’s been a while.

I’ve been absent here for the last few months (and much diminished in posting on Instagram too) because of the 2020 election. I was volunteering with voter outreach, so much so that it felt like a second job. When the presidential election was called for Biden and Harris on Saturday, I felt so relieved. That afternoon, I walked around outside with no particular destination; I just wanted to be around other people after hearing the news. Feeling inspired to dress like a USPS mailbox, I wore the above outfit.

I know there’s still a lot of work to do, but I’m taking a little time for myself and trying to get back to a sense of normal (whatever that means in a pandemic.)  For starters, I vacuumed and dusted the apartment, which I’d been neglecting, and did four loads of laundry. I have exciting plans to sheet mask and do my nails later this week. And there’s a pile of things I want to give away on my local Buy Nothing group.

As to this blog, I’ve felt less motivated to write in here because of the pandemic and other personal things that happened this year. I started this blog as a way to keep myself accountable to consuming less. Plus, I wanted to write the kind of reviews that I wanted to read — detailed, honest, and not in that chipper influencery way. With the pandemic, I am shopping way, way less, so there’s less to review. I haven’t written a single Fitting Room Review this year because I haven’t stepped foot in any clothing stores since February. Will the pandemic forever change my shopping habits?

I did say that I’d review the few things I’d gotten this year (this jumpsuit, these shoes, and my most recent purchase (secondhand): this Vetta shirt that I’ve been eyeing for a year and a half), so those are on my to-review list. But beyond that, I don’t know what’s next here. Many things this year feel uncertain and up in the air.

Welcome Objects 20 in 2020 Wardrobe Count To Date
Additions: 11
Number of Additions That Are Secondhand: 2 (18%)
Subtractions: 6

Dr. Liza Leopardd print flats

August 2020 Shopping Diary & Pandemic Shopping Habits

Published by welcomeobjects

It’s been awhile since I’ve written a shopping diary. I just haven’t bought that much this year. When I set out with the goal of a low-buy year for 2020 back in December, little did I know that all this (gestures all around) would be happening. With the exception of a shopping burst in April and using up my store credit at Everlane, it’s been quiet here on the shopping front, especially compared to prior years. The COVID-19 pandemic has definitely impacted my spending. For the most part, I’m not in the mood to shop.

Also, I feel cautious because while my partner and I are both working now, we don’t know what things might look like a few months down the line. The pandemic, and then the wildfires here in California (accompanied by freakish weather), are strong reminders that things are not in our control. Disaster strikes unexpectedly. With everything going on, I’d rather save my money than treat myself to something. (Anything I’d buy wardrobe-wise would be a treat, because I don’t need anything, really.) My birthday was over the summer and I didn’t even get myself something like I usually would.

In August, though, I did treat myself to perhaps the most impractical shelter-in-place wardrobe item: a pair of leopard print flats. It’s not like anyone is going to see these on Zoom.

In August, though, I did treat myself to perhaps the most impractical shelter-in-place wardrobe item: a pair of leopard print flats. It’s not like anyone is going to see these on Zoom. Also, we don’t wear shoes in the home anyway. We’re still sheltering in place and don’t leave our neighborhood that often. I could wear them for fun when buying groceries or picking up take-out, but that’s about the extent of my outside excursions.

The shoes were an impulse purchase, too. One thing I’ve been working on to slow down my shopping is to resist the urge to buy something right away. I try, instead, to think the purchase over some time (sometimes for many months).  Yet, I bought these shoes within a few days of learning about the brand, dr. Liza. And where did I learn about it? Someone else’s Instagram post.

Yup, I was influenced.

A confluence of details got me excited about the shoes: designed by a chiropractor and includes orthotics, ethically-made, Black-owned. Oh, and they were on sale at the time, which brought them down to a reasonable $80 USD before shipping.

Leopard-print flats were actually on my wardrobe wish list. I donated a pair of leopard print shoes I used to own because they were uncomfortable, but also because they were Ivanka. (I bought them before her father ran for president, but now I really don’t want anything associated with that family in my home.) Even though those shoes were wrong for me on several fronts, I learned that I love a leopard print shoe. The print is surprisingly versatile and I treat it like a neutral. So, I just went for this purchase even though my cautious nature worried it’d be a mistake. dr. Liza is Canadian too, and any return or exchange would incur a shipping fee to send them back across the border.

As regular readers may know, I have a hard time with shoes. A lot of what gets purged from my wardrobe is footwear (as evidenced by the number of shoes in my Poshmark store). You never really know if a pair of shoes will work til you’ve worn them a while. As it turns out, a lot of shoes are just not comfortable for me and my wide feet. So, this purchase felt risky.

I’ll write a detailed review after I’ve had the chance to wear them more. So far, I’ve only worn them to the post office to buy Ruth Asawa stamps. But they seem promising! (UPDATE: here is my review of the dr. Liza flats.)

Have you made any purchases lately? How has the pandemic affected your shopping habits?

Welcome Objects 20 in 2020 Wardrobe Count To Date
Additions: 10
Number of Additions That Are Secondhand: 1 (10%)  (Not doing good here at my goal of making it half!)
Subtractions: 6

A basket of strawberries and blackberries in green cardboard containers

Lockdown Life Lately & Thoughts on Everlane

Published by welcomeobjects

Hello from week 19-going-on-20 of lockdown. Things continue more or less the same in my household with both of us working from home. We make weekly trips to the grocery store and farmers market. (That’s where the berries above are from.) My last lockdown life update was in week 7 in April. Somewhere between then and now, I started to feel a bit depressed, so I’ve reconnected with my therapist. (I imagine therapists must be busy with all the increased anxiety, grief, and other feelings people are dealing with these days.) We’ve met up with a friend in a park once and dropped off supplies to a relative twice — both while masked — but otherwise we haven’t socialized in person.

Over the past few months, California reopened some things cautiously. In San Francisco, we are in stage 2, which means low-risk businesses and activities can open (social distancing and masks required!). The grocery store in our neighborhood took down their stanchions directing customers along a one-way route through the store. Retailers opened for curbside pickup in May. In June, tables appeared on sidewalks as outdoor dining was permitted. I still don’t feel comfortable eating at a restaurant, even if outside. But we’ve been partaking in takeout more frequently.

I still don’t feel comfortable eating at a restaurant, even if outside. But we’ve been partaking in takeout more frequently.

However, cases are surging, so things are rolling back. Most indoor businesses in the Bay Area are closed now, though some indoor retail can remain open with approved plans. Much of California (38 out of 58 counties as of July 31) is on the state’s COVID-19 watchlist. Yikes.

Shopping wise, I remain mostly uninterested though there are days I feel the urge. Sometimes I sit there just typing in the names of brands I like on Poshmark to see what pops up. Other times I visit an item I’ve had my eye on, like this Two Days Off dress. (I can’t decide if it would be cute on me.) I recently learned about an ethically-made and stylish comfort shoe brand, dr. Liza, and am dreaming of shoes to wear post shelter-in-place. (It’s Black-owned as well. I just added it to my list of Black-owned ethical fashion brands.)

Since my last shopping update, I’ve bought 2 things, bringing my total for the first 6 months of the year to 8 items. (My goal for this year is to buy no more than 20 items, half of them secondhand.) But I confess to buying these things from Everlane. I say confess because I feel like a hypocrite for shopping with them. (Though in my defense, I was using up store credit. Hey, I’m not going to leave money on the table.)

If you haven’t been following the drama, this New York Times story, “Everlane’s Promise of ‘Radical Transparency’ Unravels,” lays it out. At the start of the pandemic, Everlane laid off staff, including many of their part-time customer service staff. A number of those let go had been forming a union. The layoffs came days after they asked for formal recognition. Was it retaliation? Everlane says no, but it sure looks that way. More recently, former employees called out the company for its racist work environment.

This disappoints me greatly. A fair number of Everlane items hang in my closet. I was won over by the brand’s emphasis on ethical production, its general good quality and customer service (provided by the very folks who were laid off), and a price point that worked for my wallet. I’ve been critical at times (last year I wrote about how the company seemed to release products at a faster pace) but on the whole, I was glad they were there. However, a sustainability expert in the New York Times story says, “They do some good work, but I wouldn’t describe it as radical. The most radical thing about Everlane is the marketing.”

The exterior of the Everlane store in San Francisco, which is painted white.

The Everlane store in San Francisco.

As someone who has reviewed a lot of Everlane products, I felt that I would be giving their behavior a tacit OK by continuing to write about them. Though I didn’t announce anything, I stopped writing about them at the end of March. (The one exception is this recent review on sweaters and I explain why I wrote it in the piece.) I also stopped mentioning them on Instagram or paying attention to new releases.

As someone who has reviewed a lot of Everlane products, I felt that I would be giving their behavior a tacit OK by continuing to write about them.

Full disclosure: I do have affiliate links to Everlane on this blog. Should someone make a purchase after clicking on my link, I make a small commission. In that way, I have a financial incentive to write about their products. (But, I only write about things I’m interested in and was going to try anyways.) I’m leaving those links up because I’ve already put work into those reviews. I’ve spent hundreds of hours writing them, and any income I make from these posts is something, frankly, I’m not willing to forgo. This blog takes time and work, and it’s nice to make a little something for it.

Otherwise, I don’t really have a relationship with Everlane. I’m small potatoes in the ethical fashion blogging space. Once, and only once, Everlane gifted me a product. My review must not have driven many sales to them because they never sent me anything else to try.

Of course, the backdrop to all of this is that we’re in the middle of a devastating pandemic. Many retailers have laid off staff. Small business have closed for good. Big ones, including ones I frequent like Trader Joe’s, have also been accused of union-busting or treating low-wage essential workers badly during these times. (They’ve always been treated badly, but it’s even more apparent now.) Big brands like the Gap, Kohl’s, Levi’s, Target, and J.C. Penney, have canceled orders and not paid for already-made garments, prompting the #PayUp campaign to publicly pressure them. (With some success! Out of the few brands I mentioned here, Gap, Levi’s, and Target have agreed to pay.)

And then, there’s the news that virtually the entire fashion industry is complicit in forced labor. A human rights coalition says that 20% of cotton products worldwide are most likely made with the forced labor of Uighur people incarcerated in China’s Xinjiang region. The coalition’s list of brands that it says are complicit includes Adidas, Amazon, Gap, H&M, and Uniqlo. But it also includes brands I had considered to be more conscious than others, like Costco, Ikea, Muji, and Patagonia.

As in most everything, there are degrees. At the horrible end is forced labor of an ethnic minority. (Not to discount the experiences of Everlane employees. I am also a woman of color and have worked in an environment that was toxic to people of color, so I understand.)

It’s not that I want these brands I’ve been a customer of to go down. What I want is for them to do better. And I do hope that they survive the pandemic. But at the same time, now more than ever, it’s important to vote with our dollars. If I’m going to spend money, I might as well spend it at a business that hasn’t been an asshole to employees. For now, I’ve decided to not buy directly from Everlane (or Muji) anymore until they show improvement. What exactly does that look like? I’m not quite sure, but I’m paying attention to what happens next.

Welcome Objects 20 in 2020 Wardrobe Count To Date – Q1 + Q2
Additions: 8
Number of Additions That Are Secondhand: 1 (12.5%)
Subtractions: 5

Product shot of the Twisted Merino Cardigan in blue

Everlane Review: Twisted Merino & ReCashmere Varsity Cardigans

Published by welcomeobjects

Regular readers will know that I’ve been aiming to build up my sweater collection. So even though it’s July, today I’m talking about sweaters. I’m reviewing two cardigans I tried from Everlane: the Twisted Merino Cardigan and the ReCashmere Varsity Cardigan. (The good thing about sweaters in summer is that they’re so off season, they’re on sale.)

I know this is probably not appealing for those of you in hot climates. But hey, I live in San Francisco, and as the saying goes, “The coldest winter I ever saw was the summer I spent in San Francisco.” (This quote is widely attributed to Mark Twain, but he didn’t say these words exactly.)

To be honest, I deliberated for a long while over whether I should even write this review, given the way that Everlane handled recent layoffs and how former employees say the environment is toxic for Black and POC workers. I’ve been gathering my thoughts to share in an upcoming post. In short, I’m disappointed in Everlane.

However, I decided to go ahead with this post since I had already written half of it months ago. (I tried one of these cardigans before the lockdown. The other one I bought later to use up my store credit.) And I figured that this review might be helpful for those who are shopping secondhand and who have decided, like me, to not buy directly from Everlane at present time.

** this post contains affiliate links **

The Twisted Merino Cardigan

I ordered this because I wanted a good layering piece and this boxy, loose cardigan looked like it fit the bill. It comes in three colors: dark wave (the blue shown below), heathered stone, and bone. Here is a 5′ 7″ model wearing the S.

A Black model wears the Twisted Merino Cardigan in blue with dark pants.

Twisted Merino Cardigan – originally $98, now $59

And here is 5′ 4″ me wearing the XS.

A person with dark hair wears the Everlane Twisted Cardigan, which is boxy fitting, with black skinny jeans and red shoes.

Twisted Merino Cardigan // Everlane T-shirt [review] // Uniqlo Jeans [similar] // Hopp Studios Shoes [review]

Fit: Because it’s boxy and wide, I ordered both the XXS and XS. I went back and forth on the sizing, but in the end I decided that the XS, which is my normal Everlane size, seemed to look a bit better. It was looser fitting, which is how it’s meant to be.

Fabric: This cardigan is a medium thick (but not bulky) cotton and merino wool blend with a touch (4%) of linen. I found it a bit scratchy (but then again, I have sensitive skin). As I wore it, though, I got used to it. I tried it during an hour-long Zoom call and found that I was able to get through it without the cardigan bothering me too much. With washing and wear, it will probably soften over time.

Where It’s Made: Hong Kong. (I was going to link to the factory info here, but Everlane doesn’t seem to provide it for newer items, though it does for other products.) It seems well made.

Closeup of the Everlane Twisted Merino Cardigan in blue wave, which has specks of white and black in the fabric.

What I Liked: The dark wave color, which actually has specks of black and white in it. This gives it an interesting visual texture. (The heathered stone has a similar look while the bone is just one solid color.) I liked the loose fit in the body and sleeves. (I am not into clingy cardigans!) It has pockets, too. I’m not sure I’d use them, but they are there and tastefully on the side so you don’t see them.

What I Didn’t: The sleeves were way long. I mean, I guess it’s supposed to be like that because it’s quite long on the model too. But it got in the way of doing stuff. So, I tried folding it up by a lot. Since the sleeve had a slight bell shape, I was afraid the fold wouldn’t stay in place, but it stayed OK.

A person with dark hair wears a the Everlane Twisted Merino Cardigan, which is boxy, with some skinny jeans. She is standing in front of a wall indoors.

Twisted Merino Cardigan // Uniqlo Tank [similar & ethical] // Madewell Jeans [similar] // Allbirds Shoes [review]

Why I Didn’t Keep It: I couldn’t shake the feeling that this cardigan just wasn’t that flattering on me. I tried pairing it with lots of things in my wardrobe: different kinds of pants, skirts, dresses. I could only see myself wearing it with skinny pants like above. With other items, it didn’t look good.

I think this has to do with where it falls on me. It kind of cuts me in half. Maybe if it were shorter or longer, it would be a more visually appealing. After weeks of deliberating, I sent it back.

ReCashmere Varsity Cardigan

I ordered this because my sensitive skin can’t deal with a lot of cashmere but the mix in the ReCashmere line doesn’t bother me that much — as I learned when I bought the ReCashmere Stroopwafel Crew. (My review here). Here is a 5′ 10″ model wearing a S.

Everlane ReCashmere Varsity cardigan as worn by a brown model

ReCashmere Varsity Cardigan – originally $120, now $60

And here’s 5′ 4″ me also wearing a S.

Fit: This runs smaller for Everlane. I am a dress size 4 and an XS or S in most brands. In Everlane, which tends to be a bit oversized, I mostly wear XS, and sometimes a S. For this cardigan, I went with the S.

Fabric: ReCashmere is 60% recycled cashmere and 40% non-mulesed, extra-fine merino wool. Compared to nonrecycled cashmere, the carbon footprint is half. It doesn’t feel as soft to the touch as Everlane’s 100% cashmere items, yet it also doesn’t feel as prickly on my skin as those items do. The fabric is a pleasing medium weight and warm.

Where It’s Made: This factory in Dongguan, China. The quality seems good, but I haven’t worn it that much. Curious to hear from other folks who own this how much it pills. I wore the ReCashmere Stroopwafel Crew a fair amount over the winter and it pilled a little under the arms.

Everlane ReCashmere Varsity cardigan worn with a skirt over a button down shirt

ReCashmere Varsity Cardigan // Uniqlo Silk Shirt // Halogen Skirt // Allbirds Shoes [review]

What I Liked: The short length works well on petite me. Because it falls right around the top of my hips, I can pair it with many things: skinny jeans, looser pants, skirts. Also, I can layer it over long sleeves. I’m wearing it above over a silk shirt. I am not a fan of tight-fitting cardigans with skinny sleeves. (I found this out the hard way after I bought a few cardigans from Uniqlo back in the day and barely wore them.) In this cardigan’s case, the sleeves are not bulky, but still have enough room to allow layering. I can also button up the cardigan and wear it by itself.

What I Didn’t: This is personal taste, but in general I don’t love thick rib detailing, which this cardigan has along the bottom, the ends of the sleeves, and down the front. This detail is more apparent in the lighter colors. In the darker ones, like the heathered ink I’m wearing, it doesn’t bother me.

Why I Kept It: I found it to be quite versatile and easy to style. This one was a keeper.

You can find a directory to all my Everlane reviews here.

Reusable Face Masks from ethical and sustainable brands scattered on a white surface

Mask Up! Ethical & Sustainable Reusable Face Masks

Published by welcomeobjects

It looks like we might be wearing masks for a while. COVID-19 hasn’t gone away even though some people act like it (much to my dismay and rapidly declining faith in humanity). But which ones to get? My Instagram feed is full of ads for reusable masks. And it seems like every fashion brand — even the big ones — have pivoted to mask-making, (Perhaps, it was so that they could call themselves “essential” to continue doing business.)

Here’s a list I put together based on notes I made as I shopped around for myself. I focused on ethical and sustainable brands and smaller local efforts. The details comes from the makers themselves, as I haven’t tried most of these masks myself.

** this post contains a few affiliate links **

If You’re Looking to Get the Most For Your Money

For Days

Price: 5 for $25 (black), 3 for $20 (assorted colors)
Size: Adult
Material: Organic cotton jersey from Turkey, 2 layers
Filter Pocket: Yes
Nose Wire: No
Straps: Elastic over the ears
Where They’re Made: Los Angeles
Give Back: For every package of 5 purchased, 5 will be donated in Los Angeles.

This start-up brand is all about closed-loop manufacturing. I bought a pack and found them to be lightweight. The pleats are easy to adjust over your chin. However, I realized that elastic ear loops get in the way if you wear glasses. These masks fit snugly on me and the fabric is right against my mouth. If you have a larger face, they’ll likely be too small. 

Reformation

A red pleated mask from Reformation

Price: 1 for $10, 5 for $25
Size: Adult
Material: Viscose/Rayon blend with polyester thread, no info on layers
Filter Pocket: No
Nose Wire: No
Straps: Fabric ties
Where They’re Made: Not stated
Give Back: For every mask bought in July, one will be donated to one of these orgs: Until We Do It, the White Mountain Apache Tribe, Los Angeles Mission Shelters, and the Los Angeles LGBT Center. You can also make a separate donation, which will also be matched.

When you order the 5-pack, you’ll get whatever colors or prints they have on hand. It’s a surprise! Reformation says they don’t make a profit on these packs. For a higher cost of $10 per mask you can choose the color or print. This generates a profit of $5, which helps Reformation retain jobs.

Parachute

Price: 5 for $30
Size: Adult
Material: Cotton, no info on layers 
Filter Pocket: No
Nose Wire: No
Straps: Fabric ties
Where They’re Made: USA
Give Back: For every set sold, Parachute will donate a set through GetUsPPE and Safe Place for Youth.

These lightweight masks are made from the same fabric as their Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certified sheets. Colors and patterns vary.

Refugee Artisan Initiative

Pleated masks with triangle print and elastic ear loops

Price: 2 for $20, 5 for $40
Size: Adult, Child
Material: Cotton, no info on layers
Filter Pocket: Yes
Nose Wire: No
Straps: Elastic over the ears
Where They’re Made: Pacific Northwest (the organization is based in Seattle)
Give Back: None. But their products support living wages for refugees and immigrants.

These pleated masks are sewn by refugee and immigrant women in Refugee Artisan Initiative’s workforce development program. No choice in colors or print. You’ll receive masks made from the fabric they have on hand. You can also purchase a materials kit for $15 to make your own masks. Recently, they embroidered some masks with “VOTE” or “BLM.” Those are $20 and proceeds benefit the ACLU.

Tonlé

Price: 5 for $28, 10 for $50, and other packs up to 1,000 for $1,750
Size: Adult
Material: Quilted cotton, 3 layers
Filter Pocket: No
Nose Wire: No
Straps: Fabric ties
Where They’re Made: Cambodia
Give Back: At first they did a 1-for-1 donation. However, they’ve since received some additional funding to make masks for donation.

This zero-waste brand creates handmade clothing and accessories in Cambodia out of recycled fabrics. They’re selling masks at cost to keep their sewers employed.

If You Wear Glasses

As someone who wears glasses, there’s a few extra requirements that I look for in a mask. For one, glasses fogging is real, so a nose wire is helpful for keeping the area at the top of the nose sealed. (It’s also good for keeping your exhalations inside your mask, which is the whole point of wearing a mask!) I also prefer straps that go around the head rather than on the ears. My glasses have literally fallen off my face when I put them on after donning a mask with ear straps. There just wasn’t enough room on my ears to comfortably fit both straps and glasses.

Baggu

Price: 3 for $32
Size: Adult
Material: Kona Quilter’s Cotton, 2 layers
Filter Pocket: Yes
Nose Wire: Yes
Straps: Fabric ties
Where They’re Made: Los Angeles
Give Back: For every pack purchased, a pack of surgical masks will be donated to healthcare workers through Masks4Medicine. 

Baggu chose quilter’s cotton because its tight weave and thick thread are effective at blocking respiratory droplets while remaining breathable. The colorblocking on some of the masks is the result of working with different amounts of available fabric. I ordered a set for myself, and I do find them more breathable than regular cotton. However, the straps take some getting used to as you have to get the top part around the back of your head first before tying them. I prefer either elastic (if keeping this design) or four ties (if non-elastic.)

Graf Lantz

graf lantz face mask

Price: $22  
Size: Adult, Child 
Material: Organic cotton twill or linen, 2 layers and an organic cotton poplin liner
Filter Pocket: Yes
Nose Wire: No
Straps: There are several styles, so you can get over-the-head elastic or adjustable ear loops
Where They’re Made: Los Angeles
Give Back: For every single mask purchased, 10 meals are donated to Feeding America.

This maker of wool felt home goods is making minimalist masks in solid colors. There are three different styles — all have nose bands and filter pockets — and a choice of cotton or linen. One of the styles has petite sizing. Plus, they also make masks for kids (with filter pockets, but not nose bands). The cotton twill is OEKO-TEX Standard 100 Certified eco-friendly and sustainably processed during dyeing and finishing.

Proper Cloth

Price: 1 for $25, 3 for $50, 10 for $150, 60 for $800
Size: Adult (2 sizes)
Material: Cotton treated with an antimicrobial solution, 2 layers
Filter Pocket: Yes, comes with a polypropylene filter that can be washed 20 times
Nose Wire: Yes
Straps: Elastic around the head
Where They’re Made: Unclear, though their shirts are made in Vietnam
Give Back: One donated for every one purchased, but does not say to whom. 

This brand makes made-to-order men’s shirts. Though this method of production is more sustainable than off-the-rack, I couldn’t find much info about their fabrics and manufacturing practices. They do seem to care about packaging, though. I’m including them because they made it onto Nisolo’s mask marketplace. Also, an acquaintance tried them and reported that these are the most comfortable masks he’s found. They allow a bit of room away from your face (crucial in warm weather), and have nose clips and elastic straps that go around the head. Available in tasteful neutrals and chambrays. One downside is the conspicuous branding via a label on one side.

Winter Session

Price: $14-$16 each or buy in packs: 4 for $48, 6 for $65, 10 for $100
Size: Adult, Child
Material: Densely woven cotton, 2 layers
Filter Pocket: Yes 
Nose Wire: Yes
Straps: Fabric ties or nylon cord
Where They’re Made: Denver
Give Back: For every mask purchased, one will be donated to a health care provider through their Cover Up Colorado initiative.

Though I could not conclusively confirm whether this bag maker was a sustainable company, it appears that they make their goods by hand in a Denver workshop and try to use up scraps. Each mask also comes with two disposable polyester/nylon filters.

If You Want to Mask Up in Style

Amour Vert

Price: 3 for $50, 3 for $40 (mystery bundle or child size) 
Size: Adult, Child 
Material: Cotton or Modal, 2 layers
Filter Pocket: Yes for woven masks, but no for knit masks
Nose Wire: No
Straps: Elastic over the ears
Where They’re Made: USA 
Give Back: Each purchase ensures an essential worker in the City of San Francisco will receive a non-medical grade mask.

These masks are made from deadstock fabrics and come in a variety of prints. From the reviews, it seems like the ear loops are large on many people, so you may have to adjust them by knotting them.

Amy Kuschel

Price: $20-$22 each
Size: Adult (2 sizes), Child  
Material: Cotton or Cotton/Hemp blend, 3 layers
Filter Pocket: No
Nose Wire: Yes
Straps: Fabric ties that loop on the ears; the largest size has fabric ties that go around the head
Where They’re Made: San Francisco
Give Back: None

Amy Kuschel is a San Francisco-based custom bridal designer who pivoted to sustainable clothing last year. Her masks have lovey patterns from chambray to Liberty of London florals.

Aplat

Price: $24 (Get 20% off if you buy 10 or more) 
Size: Adult 
Material: 10 oz preshrunk organic duck cotton, 2 layers
Filter Pocket: Not a pocket exactly, but there’s an area to place a filter
Nose Wire: No
Straps: Braided cotton cord
Where They’re Made: San Francisco
Give Back: None

Aplat is a zero waste company that makes culinary products using origami principles to build volume through folds. Likewise, their masks have an origami design and are made from cotton fabric cutoffs. I like the minimalist look. If you are handy with a sewing machine, Aplat also shared their design.

Carol Young Undesigned

Price: $18-$25 each (For orders of 20 or more, use code MASK30 for a 30% discount.)
Size: Adult (2 sizes), Child  
Material: Organic cotton, Japanese cotton, or a linen blend. All are lined in organic cotton
Filter Pocket: Yes
Nose Wire: Yes upon request
Straps: Fabric ties
Where They’re Made: Los Angeles
Give Back: For every mask purchased, one will be donated. They’ve donated to various places in need including the Angeles Community Health Center/Health Care for All, the Navajo Nation, Pueblo Action Alliance, postal workers, and many more. They also sewed and donated isolation gowns to local hospitals

Carol Young is a sustainable women’s clothing designer with a storefront in the Los Feliz neighborhood of Los Angeles. She offers an array of fabrics. I especially like the Japanese quilt masks (shown above) and a limited edition mask for a fundraiser featuring a fabric design by artist Stephanie Dennis. The latter is sold out, but more fundraising projects are on the way. These masks are also good for those who wear glasses because of the option to include a nose wire.

Custom Collaborative

Price: $20-$28 
Size: Adult 
Material: Cotton, Tencel/Linen, or Tencel/Cotton 
Filter Pocket: No
Nose Wire: No
Straps: Fabric ties
Where They’re Made: New York
Give Back: For every mask purchased, one will be donated to a frontline worker.

Custom Collaborative’s mission is to serve women from low-income and immigrant communities with training and ongoing support that equip them to achieve viable livelihoods in the fashion industry. 90% of their creations are made from repurposed and upcycled textiles. Designer Mara Hoffman is a longtime supporter and has teamed up to offer masks in a snake print and a floral print (shown above). Another collaboration with NiLu produced masks in upcycled fabrics with African prints.

Taylor Jay

Price: $21 each or buy in packs: 3 for $57 or 4 for $76
Size: Adult  
Material: Cotton french terry
Filter Pocket: No
Nose Wire: No
Straps: Elastic over the ears
Where They’re Made: Oakland, CA
Give Back: None

This eponymous brand makes elevated basics in inclusive sizing. The business is family-run and has a store in Oakland. The two-tone design of many of the masks on offer remind me of gems. Made from repurposed cotton.

Whimsy + Row

Price: $10-$26 each
Size: Adult (2 sizes), Child 
Material: Cotton
Filter Pocket: Yes for some designs, no for others
Nose Wire: Yes for some
Straps: Ear loops; some are adjustable
Where They’re Made: Los Angeles
Give Back: They donate to various Los Angeles organizations serving homeless people including Union Rescue Mission, Midnight Mission & Downtown Women’s Center.

Based in Los Angeles, this brand makes women’s clothing in small batches. They also offer two styles of masks. There’s plain white masks, costing $10 each. These come in a kids’ size and an XL adult size too and fit with elastic ear loops. Then there’s fancier masks made out of two layers of up-cycled cotton and one layer of polypropylene filter. These have nose wires, adjustable ear loops, filter pockets, and pretty prints.

If You’re Communicating with Someone Who is Deaf or Hard of Hearing

Mask the Bay

Price: $10-$12 each for most masks, $25 for communicator mask
Size: 4 Total: Adult (2 sizes), Youth, Toddler 
Material: Cotton, Plus vinyl for communicator mask
Filter Pocket: Yes for most masks, No for communicator mask
Nose Wire: No
Straps: Elastic around the head
Where They’re Made: Oakland, CA
Give Back: None at this time, but you can add a donation to your purchase. They’ve also donated 5,000 masks to 60 Bay Area hospitals and hundreds more to vulnerable populations.

Mask the Bay employs local garment workers in Oakland to sew masks, many from salvaged fabrics. This is one of the few places I’ve seen offering a communicator mask, which has a clear window over the mouth for lip reading and facial cues.

More Resources

Nisolo has a mask marketplace with lots of different options, which they rated on style, comfort, functionality, breathability, and sustainability.

Etsy is full of sellers making face masks, including clear communicator masks. Like all things Etsy, quality varies, so make sure to read the reviews and examine the photos. You can shop by location to buy from someone in your community.

A Black model with curly hair wears a midi dress in front of a concrete wall

Ethical & Sustainable Fashion Brands Owned by Black Women

Published by welcomeobjects

The ethical fashion space, like much of the fashion industry, is predominately white. So, I wanted to shout out some Black-owned ethical, sustainable, and slow fashion brands. I’ll update this list as I learn about more brands. I was curious about the stories behind the brands, so I also linked to interviews with the founders. As we know, where we spend our dollars matters. Let’s show them some love!

** this post contains a few affiliate links **

Apparel

Aliya Wanek – By day she works as a speech therapist in the San Francisco Bay Area. By night, Aliya Wanek makes comfy womenswear out of natural fibers.

Dynasty George – This zero waste clothing brand serves romantic looks. Designed by Dynasty Casanova, the clothes are handmade in Brooklyn from vintage and recycled textiles.

Earth Toned Collective – Clothes to be noticed in! The last collection (nearly sold out) is full of tops with dramatic sleeves. All garments are made from deadstock materials or organic cotton in Brooklyn. Founded by Shalisia Hyman-Earth.

Gracemade – Founder Jasmine Rennie describes her brand as faith-driven and a “fashion-forward interpretation of modest apparel.” Think cocoon dresses and jumpsuits. Made in downtown Los Angeles out of locally sourced and deadstock fabrics. Use my coupon code WELCOMEOBJ to get 15% off. 

Local European – Their Instagram bio says, “For the elegant street girl.” Cargo pants, but make it fashion! Made in Los Angeles out of deadstock fabric in small batches. Founded by Alexandra Bunch.

Pure Hope Clothing – Based in London, Pure Hope works with Ashanari, a social project in India that provides free education for women and children. Women in the project are paid fair wages to make the clothes from up-cycled fabrics. Founded by Rebekah Lazarus.

Tabii Just – Zero waste women’s clothing crafted in Brooklyn and Massachusetts under fair and ethical working conditions. Founded by activist Tabitha St. Bernard-Jacobs, who is also the director of community engagement at Women’s March. She also co-founded a second zero waste fashion label, Livari.

Taylor Jay – An eponymous brand of elevated basics and inclusive sizing. Made in Oakland. “I began designing because my body had gone from a size 2 to a size 12 within 6 months, so I needed garments that could be stylish and also serve as function,” says Jay in this interview.

Tiny Closet Shop – Made-to-order capsule clothing crafted out of deadstock fabric in Los Angeles. The clothes are minimalist, drapey, and arty — what I imagine an art gallery owner would wear. Founded by Natalie Harris, who makes all the garments herself. She’s currently hit capacity, but check back in July.

Two Days Off – This minimalist slow fashion brand founded by climate scientist Gina Stovall uses natural fibers like linen and cotton. Made to order or in limited edition batches in Los Angeles. (I’ve been eyeing the Haruko Dress, shown above, for some time.)

Shoes & Accessories

AAKS – Based in the UK and founded by Akosua Afriyie-Kumi, AAKS’ colorful handbags are handcrafted by women weavers in Ghana. The bags are made from ecologically harvested raffia from family farmers in Ghana.

Brother Vellies – Luxury shoes and bags created from traditional African design practices. Based in Brooklyn, but made by artisans across the globe. Glamorous, luxe, and $$$. Founded by Aurora James.

dr. Liza – Liza Egbogah is a Canadian chiropractor and osteopath of Nigerian heritage who created her own line of footwear after not being able to find stylish comfy shoes for her clients. The shoes have orthotic insoles and are ethically made in Brazil. Read my review of her flats.

Kintu New York – Launched in 2015, Kintu works with artisans in Italy, Kenya, and India to create 100% vegetable-tanned leather bags. The bags have a boxy, structured look and are made to order. Founded by Sarah Nakintu.

Tree Fairfax – Minimalist leather goods made by Tricia Hash in Roanoke, Virginia. Known for her half moon-shaped waist bags. She also has an Etsy shop.

Zou Xuo – Small-batch shoes handcrafted by Argentinian shoemakers. Founded by Katherine Theobalds. I  love these black snake print flats.

Swim Wear

lemlem – Founded by supermodel Liya Kebede, lemlem offers swimwear and other apparel for women, men, and children made entirely in Africa. A portion of sales go to the lemlem foundation, a nonprofit that connects women artisans in Africa to healthcare, education, and jobs.

Natural Swim – Luxe swimwear with “coverage options for all” made from recycled fishing nets. Designed in the USA and ethically manufactured in Indonesia. Founded by Fatimah Hunter and Summiyah Siddeeq.

Vintage

Bum-Cake Vintage – Vintage lingerie. Founded by Christiana Greene.

Keepers Vintage – Brick & mortar vintage shop in Baltimore. They also have an Etsy shop. Co-owned by Erica Bentley.

Neutral Ground – Vintage clothing in a neutral palette. Founded by Alysha Cassis-Shaw and Bay Area-based.

Retro Rhapsody/smallneeds – Sumptuous vintage finds. Based in Miami.

Subrina Heyink Vintage – Designer vintage curated by stylist Subrina Heyink. Based in Kansas City, Missouri.

Washington Ave – Based in Natchitoches, Louisiana, where founder Lakeitha Washington has been upcycling and reworking vintage pieces since 2010.

More Resources

15% Pledge – Aurora James, the founder of Brother Vellies, organized a pledge to call on major retailers to devote 15% of their shelf space to products from Black-owned businesses since Black Americans make up 15% of the U.S. population. Sephora was the first to sign on.

Black-owned Etsy Shops – Curated by Etsy.

Black Owned Everything – An Instagram account “for when the trend is over.”

Blk + Grn – An all natural marketplace for beauty products made by Black artisans.

Buy From a Black Woman Directory – A directory of businesses owned by Black women, from home decor and furniture to food.

Buy From BIPOC – A directory of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color makers and creatives with a focus on slow, ethical, and sustainable fashion.

Melanin & Sustainable Style – A website (and Instagram) for communities of color in sustainable fashion and beauty spaces. Founded by Dominique Drakeford.